Firefighters and aircraft are continuing efforts to prevent an out-of-control bushfire between Wellington and Mudgee from crossing the Cudgegong River.
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The out-of-control blaze in the Wuuluman district was upgraded to ‘watch and act’ shortly after midday on a hot and windy Friday.
By late afternoon 2000 hectares had been burnt and the fire was close to crossing the Cudgegong River, but the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) was still hoping to contain it to the Wellington side of the river, RFS media liaison officer Matthew Apps said.
Difficult conditions were being experienced on the fireground with strong winds in excess of 50 km/h spreading the fire in a south-easterly direction and causing erratic fire behaviour.
The RFS had received reports the fire had impacted on powerlines in the Guroba Road vicinity, so power may be affected in the area, he said.
Twenty tankers and about 60 firefighters were involved in the efforts, Mr Apps said.
Throughout the day they had been were working with the support of a mix of 10 graders and dozers and seven aircraft.
RFS strike teams were on standby at Mudgee in case the fire did cross the river, he said.
A fire-retardant gel was part of containment efforts on Friday.
A large air tanker nicknamed ‘Thor’ was involved in dropping the gel and other aircraft were dropping water, Mr Apps said.
He reminded people in the area to remain vigilant and have their bushfire survival plans in place.
“And if they do see a fire with no appliances in the area, call Triple Zero,” he said.
EARLIER:
A ‘watch and act’ alert remains in place for a bushfire between Wellington and Mudgee as crews respond to a second fire.
More than 1700 hectares had been burned by the time the latest update was issued by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) about 3.20pm.
The fire is burning in hilly country between Wellington and Mudgee, the RFS reports.
“Firefighters and aircraft are working to slow the spread of the fire,” the RFS said in its report.
“Crews are also responding to a second fire in the vicinity of Circle Rd, Mumbil near the main Burrendong Dam wall.
“Difficult conditions are being experienced on the fireground with strong winds are spreading the fire in a south easterly direction and causing erratic fire behaviour.
“Residents and tourists on the eastern side of the Cudgegong River in the vicinity of Bimbajong, Narbethong, Glencoe, Yarrabin, Tacoola and the Cudgegong River Caravan Park should monitor conditions closely and know what they will do in the event the fire threatens.
“Very High to Severe fire danger is forecast for today. Firefighting in these conditions will be difficult.
“Mudgee is likely to be affected by smoke this afternoon.”
RFS advice
If you are in the area and your plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave now, well before conditions deteriorate.
Yarrabin Rd has been closed between 12 Mile Rd and Hill End Rd.
Monitor conditions in your area.
Waterbombing aircraft are filling up in Lake Burrendong. Please maintain awareness and keep clear.
Check and follow your bush fire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.
Other Information
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking the NSW RFS website, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
Roads may be closed without warning. Visit www.livetraffic.com for road information.
EARLIER:
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has raised its alert level for a bushfire between Wellington and Mudgee as conditions deteriorate.
The blaze was moved to a ‘watch and act’ incident at 12.20pm.
Watch and act means there is a heightened level of threat.
“Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family,” the RFS says in explanation of the term on its website.
By the time of the latest advice the fire had burned more than 1600 hectares and remained out of control, the RFS advised the community.
The Yarrabin Road has been closed to all but local residents.
The fire is burning in hilly country between Wellington and Mudgee.
Firefighters and aircraft are working to slow the spread of the fire, the RFS reports.
“Difficult conditions are expected today,” the RFS advises.
“Winds have picked up this morning and are stengthening.
“This is causing erratic fire behaviour and is likely to push the fire in a south-easterly direction towards the Cudgegong River.
“Residents and tourists on the eastern side of the Cudgegong River in the vicinity of Bimbajong, Narbethong, Glencoe, Yarrabin, Tacoola and the Cudgegong River Caravan Park should monitor conditions closely and know what they will do in the event the fire threatens.
“Very High to Severe fire danger is forecast for today. Firefighting in these conditions will be difficult.
“Mudgee is likely to be affected by smoke this afternoon.”
RFS advice:
If you are in the area and your plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave now, well before conditions deteriorate.
Yarrabin Rd has been closed to all but local residents.
Monitor conditions in your area.
Waterbombing aircraft are filling up in Lake Burrendong. Please maintain awareness and keep clear.
Check and follow your bush fire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.
Other Information
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking the NSW RFS website, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
Roads may be closed without warning. Visit www.livetraffic.com for road information.
EARLIER:
A bushfire between Wellington and Mudgee has burnt more than 1180 hectares and is out of control, authorities advised on Friday morning.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) provided an update to the community on the situation at 11.27am.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday and is burning in the area of Wuuluman, between Wellington and Mudgee, to the west of the Cudgegong River.
The fire is burning in hilly country between Wellington and Mudgee. Firefighters and aircraft are working to slow the spread of the fire, the RFS reports on Friday.
“Difficult conditions are expected today,” the RFS said.
“Winds have picked up this morning and will strengthen throughout the day.
“This is likely to push the fire in a south-easterly direction towards the Cudgegong River.”
Residents and tourists on the eastern side of the Cudgegong River in the vicinity of Bimbajong, Narbethong, Glencoe, Yarrabin, Tacoola and the Cudgegong River Caravan Park should monitor conditions closely and know what they will do in the event the fire threatens, the RFS advised.
Very High to severe fire danger is forecast for today. Firefighting in these conditions will be difficult, the RFS says.
“Mudgee is likely to be affected by smoke this afternoon,” the RFS said.
There are air cranes based at Mudgee, working on the Wuuluman fire and providing valuable help to firefighters, the RFS said in a post to social media.
RFS advice:
If you are in the area and your plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave now, well before conditions deteriorate.
Monitor conditions in your area.
Check and follow your bush fire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.
Other Information
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking the NSW RFS website, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
Roads may be closed without warning. Visit www.livetraffic.com for road information.
EARLIER:
A bushfire in the Wuuluman district near Wellington has burnt more than 1180 hectares and is out of control, authorities advised on Friday morning.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) updated the community on the situation at 9.14am.
Fire behaviour overnight was erratic however conditions eased about 2 am which allowed firefighters to continue to strengthen containment lines around the fireground, the RFS reported.
Firefighters with the assistance of graders have worked with property owners along Yarrbin Rd near the Cudgegong River to prepare homes for the possible impact of fire later today.
This morning winds are forecast to swing to the north before strengthening late morning in a west to north westerly direction.
This is likely to then push the fire again towards the Cudgegong River.
Residents and tourist on the eastern side of the Cudgegong River in the vicinity of Bimbajong, Narbethong, Glencoe, Yarrabin, Tacoola and the Cudgegong River Caravan Park should monitor conditions closely and know what they will do in the event the fire threatens.
Very High to severe fire danger is forecast for today.
Firefighting in these conditions will be difficult.
Advice
If your plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave this morning.
Monitor conditions in your area.
Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.
Other Information
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking the NSW RFS website, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737. Roads may be closed without warning.
The next update on this fire will be issued by midday on Friday or if the situation changes.
The fire broke out on Wednesday.
